Austin Weekly News 052224

5 Gar eld Park small businesses win $10K grants

The West Side United money is intended to help places improve or expand o erings

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

West Side United awarded $10,000 grants to 16 small businesses on the West Side.

This year’s grant winners were infor med they won the in late April. They include Cajun Cafe Chicago, Not Just Cookies, Suga & Spice Inc., Tidy Up Experts and Twisted Eggroll, all located in Garfield Park

Johnathon Bush, owner of Not Just Cookies at 4300 W. Lake St., said he has applied to the grant a few times since 2018, but this was the first year West Side United awarded it to his business.

“I was shocked when I got the email,” Bush said. “It’s a very competitive grant, and there’s a

Knock out program

STORY BY LEAH SCHROEDER, PAGE 9

Hard news reporting starts at street level

When medical residents at West Suburban Medical Center planned a protest over patient safety worries, they contacted the Austin Weekly News.

Jessica Mordacq, our West Side reporter, showed up. She interviewed the resident doctors and the hospital’s CEO. Her story provided a fair and thorough account of the troubles this vital safety-net hospital is experiencing.

safety-net hospital is experiencing.

Authentic. Fact-based. Close to the ground.

The kind you can get only with the local Austin Weekly News.

Help keep this reporting going.

Jessica Mordacq, Austin Weekly News reporter

BIG WEEK May 8-15

A Growing Community Media Partnership

y, y 18 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Columbus Park Field House

Relieve some stress, fellowship with other women, and hear insights from a champion of women’s health, State Representative Camille Lilly. The event is hosted by the Health and W.I.N Committees of the Chicago Westside Branch NAACP and Bethel New Life, Inc. Registration is required and will include a complimentary yoga mat. https://ow.ly/HKZp50RJXYX. 500 S. Central

We want to hear from you

The Austin Weekly News is looking to invigorate its coverage of ar ts, food and enter tainment. We want to hear from you! Please take this short sur vey to help us learn what you want when you’re looking for things to do. Please submit your answers by May 26. https://forms.gle/yss7eCACoXW49jqNA

Restorative Design Justice Practice

Sunday, May 19 1 – 3 p.m.

“Creating Space” is a youth-led Austin community design projec t for intergenerational understanding, overcoming stigma, and healing. Participants will work together with neighbors, design community friends, creative partners and youth leaders to acknowledge historic harms caused by disinvestment, and to identify ways the Austin community can use design to become whole again. Register here: https://ow.ly/5Utz50RJYmo. 557 N. Central Ave. at Ohio Street. Note: This is a vacant lot in the heart of Austin.

Hub 101 virtual info session

Tuesday, May 21 12:30 - 1:45 p.m., Facebook Live event

This is a Hub 101 virtual info session to learn about job training resources from HIRE360, hosted by ACT’s own Austin Community Hub team. Register here: https:// ow.ly/iMZT50RJYSP

The Mayor’s Youth Commission info session

Monday, May 20, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

This is an info session about for the 20242025 cohort. It is a paid opportunity for a group of up to 40 Chicagoans between the ages of 14 and 19 who serve as a liaison between the Chicago Mayor’s O ce and Chicago’s youth. The application is now open, and and any youth who is interested must apply by June 15. Apply here: https:// ow.ly/jLaa50RJYHf

Gamers Paradise

Thursday, May 23, 4 – 5 p.m., Douglass Branch, Chicago Public Library

Hang out in the YOUmedia space playing video games or board games. Use the video game systems and STEAM Machine to play a variety of fun games. Challenge the teen librarians to show o their moves in Just Dance or race. The choice is yours! 3353 W. 13th St.

Pre-Memorial Day Observance

Thursday, May 23 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Veterans Peace Garden The observance is hosted by the South Austin Neighborhood Association and the Austin Veterans and Community Organization. This event honors the life of U.S. Army Veteran and Austin community resident, William N. Dale at the Veterans Peace Garden. Learn more: https://ow.ly/ vupE50RJZbb. 5413 W. Madison St.

AU STIN WEEKLY news

Editor Erika Hobbs

Sta Reporters Jessica Mordacq Amaris E. Rodriguez

Special projects reporter Delaney Nelson

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan

Reporting Partners Block Club, Austin Talks

Columnists Arlene Jones, Aisha Oliver

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza

Sales & Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

OF DIRECTORS

Judy Gre n

Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

What’s next for Chicago’s promised environmental hazard response plan?

By DEBORAH BAYLISS Contributing Reporter

Chicago’s Cumulative Impact Assessment last year found that Austin, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park and North Lawndale communities are among the areas disproportionately impacted by higher heat-related illnesses, industry pollution, increased amounts of ground level ozone and particulate matter, flooding, lack of green space, higher density of buildings and pavement and historic disinvestment.

Those combined environmental hazards play a role in the life-expectancy gap between Black and white Chicagoans. Studies show on average, Black Chicagoans live 8.8 fewer years than white Chicagoans.

Austin Weekly News spoke with area leaders about how they’ll work to fix the problem. AWN spoke with Chicago Department of Public Health, which spearheaded the study along with the Office of Climate and Environmental Equity and other community partners, to determine actions that mitigate what many researchers and climate and community activists call environmental injustice. AWN also interviewed The West Side Long Term Recovery Group, a coalition of neighbors, nonprofits and disaster relief agencies working to address extreme weather events.

Grace V. Johnson Adams, spokesperson with the Chicago Department of Public Health

Johnson Adams said that several actions have been taken since the report was released last September

“For example,” Johnson Adams said, “one Environmental Justice Action Plan tactic called for at least 5,000 trees to be planted per year in targeted communities using tree canopy data, and 78% of trees planted in 2023 in the arterial tree planting program were in priority areas.”

Other actions, such as the development and implementation of a data collection strategy that reports on the effectiveness of

community engagement activities, also have been taken, Johnson Adams said.

Other measures that have not yet beg un will be c ompleted per the Environmental Justice Action Plan, a ccording to Johnson Adams

What is the Environmental Justice Ac tion Plan?

T he Environmental Justice Action Plan came out of the 2023 work and is intended to the change the city’s practices and policies to ensure that justice and equity principles are embedded in daily decision-making .

A mong the priorities are a c ommunity a ir monitoring network strat eg y led by the Department of Health and c ommunity partner s, including Little Vi llage Environmental Justice Organization, C enter for Neighborhood Te chnolo gy and the UIC School of Public Health’s Environmental and O ccupational Health Scienc e. It will focus on neighborhood s disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards.

Last summer, researchers and local community members also be g an collecting the data needed to characterize heat vulnerabilities through Chicago’s Heat Watch 2023 initiative as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Heat Watch Campaign, which aims to help cities across the U.S. identify specific neighborhoods where heat-mitigating interventions could save lives.

Officials will be developing heat vulnerability tools that function at both the community and clinical levels,” Johnson Adams said. T he community tool will be used by the city’s emergency management officials in both emergency prevention/response and long-term mitigation contexts. T he clinical tool will be used at the doctor-patient level to identify and protect at-risk individuals

See ENVIRONMENTAL on pa ge 6

Kindness is always the best currency.

The West Side Long Term Recovery Group

Justin L. Hill, a research and policy analyst with the Westside Health Authority who also works with the Long Term Recovery Group, said he reviewed the findings in the impact study that talked about the overburdening environmental injustices around Austin, Garfield Park, and the West Side in general, and that the Long Term Recovery Group is embarking on a mission to help homeowners who suf fered from the floods.

“On the West Side, a lot of the homeowners experienced a flood that happened last July that completely flooded a lot of basements,” Hill said. “Over 16,000 people were impacted based on the data we received from FEMA. So, we’ve been doing assessments in people’s homes and looking at the impact of mold. The Long Term Recovery Group remains in partnership with FEMA and other agencies, to really think about how floods and other natural disasters impact the health outcomes of people. For the last nine to 10 months, we’ve been working with over 250 homeowners to get the mold out of their basements.”

Hill added that The Long Term Recovery Group members have tried to organize a meeting with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson re garding the flooding issues.

“We talked to [Illinois] State Rep. LaShawn Ford and 37th Ward Ald. Emma Mitts,” he said. “We’ve been organizing to really deal with the impact of the flooding in particular, but also some of the extenuating and exacerbating ways the im-

pact of water in your basement, and the health outcomes of mold exposure and try to clean some of these houses out and removing anything that’s affected with mold. We found that some people may have been exposed to asbestos, some people still had some lead paint issues.”

In terms of addressing the other kinds of environmental pollutants, heat zones and industrial pollution, identified in the study, Hill said the Recovery Group is also exploring preventative measures.

“One of the things that we’ve been thinking through is how do we keep something like that from happening and one of the ways that we’ve been exploring it, is that we’ve been talking to some of the private sector partners that we have like Amazon, Riot Fest and exploring and brainstorming, how increasing the amount of green space on the West Side so that there can be something that naturally absorbs water, air pollution and produce clean air,” he said.

The Long Term Recovery has also engaged the City’s Water Reclamation commissioners regarding building more greenery spaces that can work to help clean up the environment in a general sense but more specifically around water retention and water absorption, Hill added.

An ordinance also is in the works, he said.

“It will aim to protect all Chicago neighborhoods more fully from pollution by considering the cumulative impact of environmental, health and socioeconomic stressors,” Johnson Adams said. “Recommendations that were initially suggested include the establishment of new governance structures, authorities, and resources, to address these burdens. Other recommendations have included mandates that the city include environmental, health, and social stressors in its decision-making, and creating new requirements to ensure people who live in these neighborhoods benefit directly from local development.”

15th District CAPS wellness fair aims to aid domestic violence victim

Volunteers distributed diapers, clothes, books — and even o ered child care —to those in need

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

On May 15, the Chicago Police Department 15th District’s Office of Community Policing hosted its second monthly community wellness outreach fair, distributing free resources to locals in and around Austin.

T he idea for the event came out of the district CAPS office’s subcommittee on domestic violence, which investigates alle gations of domestic violence and sup ports survivors. T he event was held noon at Brian P. Pickett Funeral Home to reach those who have been af fected by domestic violence.

“We were thinking of someone who, if they’re dealing with a crisis, this would

the domestic violence liaison officer for the 15th District’s Office of Community Policing. “And if they’re watching their location, they won’t be able to notice because

In the parking lot behind the funeral home, visitors picked up diapers, clothes, hand sanitizer and books, or stopped by for resources to help with domestic violence and visited BUILD’s mental health mobile van.

“If someone came in and they had a crisis, or they walked around and saw things and said, ‘OK, I might be dealing with something,’ they immediately take them in and start talking to them and get them assessed,” Young said of BUILD, a violence prevention and youth development organization.

Other community agencies partnering with the 15th District’s CAPS brought whatever resources they could donate. Maryville Academy of fered temporary childcare services for parents dealing with domestic violence. We Care 2 Agency brought diapers, clothing, blankets and feminine products. There was also a free lunch of sandwiches, chips and juice. Other partners hosting the monthly event included Beard Admin Services, Beautifully Scar red, the PLCCA, Street Priests, Taproots, and Westside Rising.

The first community wellness outreach ent in April was a success, Young said. Although no one counted how many people

“Most of the people, they’re just saying, ‘thank you. Thank you for being here,’” Young said. “When people come out, you see a lot of smiling faces. That’s the most important thing.” She added, “We gave people something to be happy about, even if it’s for a moment.”

Young said the 15th District’s CAPS office plans to keep its re gular location for the wellness outreach event and add popup resource events around Austin.

“Eventually, we’ ll have a pop-up here and there in different locations, where we hopefully find the need and meet the need,” Young said. “We’ll try to go throughout the community and create the same type of environment, just probably on a smaller scale.”

The next community wellness event will take place June 16 and move down the road to the corner of Lavergne Ave. and Madison St. Young said the spot is more visible and a place where people tend to gather.

“That’ll be like the first time we’ll do a pop-up,” Young said. “We’re just trying to be more present.”

COURTESY OF THE 15TH DISTRICT CAPS OFFICE

mmunit y members and O cer Young playing double dutch in the parking lot of ian P. Pickett Funeral Home. COURTESY

Metasha Young and Carlin Morse, commander of the 15th District.

GRANT WINNERS

Small business boost

from page 1

lot of worthy businesses on the West Side. So, I was surprised that we got it and super, super grateful.”

West Side United — made up of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Ascension, Cook County Health, Rush University Medical Center, Sinai Health System and the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System — was founded in 2018 to work toward eliminating the life expectancy gap on Chicago’s West Side, which has long been affected by systemic racism. Since then, the healthcare collaborative has of fered yearly grants and has given almost $2 million to over 120 businesses on the West Side.

According to Sanita Lewis, West Side United’s director of anchor mission, about 280 businesses applied for the most recent grant with the hope that it would help grow and scale their offerings.

Not Just Cookies offers baked goods for corporate and catering orders and employs several West Side residents, Bush said. And soon, Bush said he’s launching a line for local grocery stores, and he plans to use the grant money for packaging and product development.

Nikkita Randle, founder and owner of frozen eggroll company Twisted Eggroll, located in food and beverage incubator The Hatchery Chicago, was also excited about winning the grant since she applied last year and didn’t get it.

“I was elated,” Randle said. “We had definitely just come out of a slow season, so this was a nice cash injection for us that really helped us get back on track.” Randle is using the $10,000 to buy inventory for upcoming events and to fund the company while it’s filling orders. Twisted Eggroll has a nationwide deal with the grocery store chain Sprouts Far mers Market and, when Twisted Eggroll receives orders from Sprouts. There’s a 30day lag between shipping and payment.

Lashon Burrell is the founder and executive chef of Cajun Cafe Chicago, a catering company offering Southern cuisine, also located inside The Hatchery. She said she thinks West Side United awarded a grant to Cajun Cafe Chicago partially because of the business’ role in the community, where it re gularly works with local nonprofits.

Burrell said she plans to use the $10,000 to hire more employees, to pay a deposit for a second delivery vehicle and to buy equip-

ment for Cajun Cafe Chicago.

“We plan to use the funds to help better our business and help uplift the community in any way we can by hiring more people on the West Side and being able to give back,” Bur rell said.

Helping uplift small businesses

The West Side United collaborative is a convener and capacity builder for Chicago’s West Side community. The organization targets local economic vitality, education, health and physical environments, according to Lewis.

“We know that wealth leads to health,” Lewis said. “You have access to better care because you have access to dollars that allow you to take advantage of that.”

Small businesses that have received a grant from West Side United since 2018 have reported an average revenue increase of 42% when comparing income from the year before and after receiving the grant. West Side United estimates that its small business grant program has contributed to creating or maintaining over 600 jobs.

While the goal of the grant program was originally to provide small businesses with capital, Lewis said it has since evolved.

“Over time, we found that capital is

great and, of c ourse, always needed, bu t there are other resources that businesses j ust do n’ t have the capacity to take on, ” Lewis said.

To address that, West Side United’s accelerator program offers additional resources to help businesses grow and scale. As part of its accelerator program, West Side United is piloting a program, pairing West Side businesses with young community members who serve as interns over the summer.

“The hope is that, as we continue to fund these businesses, that we’ll see more of them, especially some of our repeat grantees, being able to take that capital and really start to expand and grow their businesses,” Lewis said. She added in a statement, “When these businesses thrive, they are then able to further invest in the growth of our community.”

The grant program also provides grantees with coaching. Allies for Community Businesses, the administrator for the grant program, offers coaching to any business on the West Side. West Side United required those who applied for this year’s grant to partake in a 30-minute coaching session with Allies for Community Businesses to assess where the business is at and what its needs are.

“We believe that entrepreneurs from any

background can start and grow businesses that create generational wealth for their families and communities, including near our organization’s home on Chicago’s West Side,” said Brad McConnell, CEO of Allies for Community Business, in a statement.

Grantees were required to have a revenue of $1 million or less and be located in one of ten West Side neighborhoods: Austin, Belmont Cragin, East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, Lower West Side (Pilsen), Near Westside, North Lawndale, South Lawndale (Little Village), West Garfield Park and West Town.

A selection committee made up of community partners reviewed applicants and picked grantees based on the business’ connection to the West Side, community impact, business goals and how the business will use the grant.

“It will definitely make things easier,” Randle said, especially since Twisted Eg groll lost i ts main local vending pa rtner with the closure of Foxtrot and Dom’s in April

Randle, Burrell and Bush all thanked West Side United and their partners for the grant, and Burrell added, for being a part of the community: “I know it takes a village in order to make these things happen.”

PROVIDED PHOTO S

Johnathon Bush of Not Just Cookies, Lashon Bu rrell of Cajun Cafe Chicago, and Nikkita Randle of Tw isted Eg groll

Derek Brown teaches kids ‘to box their way through life’

The program now has more than 300 children on the waiting list

By LEAH SCHROEDER Contributing Reporter

Boxing Out Ne gativity began in 2009 with a pair of boxing gloves in the trunk of founder and head coach Derek Brown’s car. Brown started teaching youth in his community to box, without much thought for the future.

However, after community members began noticing Brown’s dedication and donating supplies to the cause, the program grew to include 80 children, and now has more than 300 children on the waitlist.

“I just decided to start teaching them how to box, not even planning on creating Boxing Out Ne gativity,” Brown said. “At the time, I was broke, homeless. I had nothing. I couldn’t even get those youth water and

it was hot. The community came together.”

Boxing Out Ne gativity was created to empower at-risk youth to see the best in themselves. With three separate components, including youth boxing, street outreach and community anti-violence events, the program envisions a world in which every child has the necessary support.

The boxing program employs a “sneak discipline,” according to head administrative volunteer Julie Globokar, which encourages children to practice healthy habits, including eating, sleeping and conditioning well, to be successful in the ring.

“They want to fight, they want to learn,” Brown said. “Just like in the boxing ring, you have to make the same split-second decision that you make in life. We teach them to box their way through life.”

Boxing Out Ne gativity also works to mentor individuals through their outreach program, in which they visit local schools, as well as the Cook County Jail.

During these visits, Brown is reminded of what he would have needed as a child,

and works to fulfill that role for the students that he works with.

“I like to look at it like I get a chance to go back and cover my lifeline,” Brown said.

“All that Derek Brown needed at a tender age of eight when he got of f the porch, Boxing Out Ne gativity is that and some.”

The program’s community anti-violence events serve to foster community connections and create positive memories for the community’s youth.

Before Brown began his work, he said, the block was considered a “hot block,” but now, there is a strong sense of community.

“The most peaceful events that we have in the community creates memories for a child. Instead of ‘I remember when my homie got shot right here,’ they can say, ‘I remember they used to ride the bikes through here,’” Brown said. “We are the beacon of home to a lot of families in this community.”

Throughout his work, Brown maintains motivation by drawing his own personal memories of childhood. He said he remembers times when he was hungry as a child

CULTURAL & CREATIVE ARTS

and says that his “job is to prevent [the children] from going through that hell.”

Globokar says that this ability sets Brown apar t and allows him to better connect with the children that he works with.

“He ge nuinely sees himself in everybo dy that he i nteracts with. T here’s no separation,” Globokar said. “When he’s wo rk ing with a k id, he is seeing himself in that k id and I think that’s pa rt of wh at ke ep s them going. ”

Since 2009, Boxing Out Negativity has developed in many ways. What began as boxing lessons from Brown with the gloves he kept in his car has transformed into a program with a facility, a staff and many volunteers.

Having witnessed children grow up in the program, Globokar says that Boxing Out Ne gativity has become more of a family than a program. Despite the success of Boxing Out Ne gativity so far, Brown says that the team is far from done.

“We’ve come a long way,” Brown said. “As I’m looking at the future right now, we have a long way to go.”

National Museum of Mexican Art | 1852 W. 19th Street

Upcoming Dates: May 30, June 27 | 1:00–3:00 p.m.

CREATIVE AGING EXPO & LUNCH

Blue Door Neighborhood Center | 2551 W. Cermak Road

Meets every Tuesday from 2:15–3:00 p.m.

WALKING & WELLNESS CLUB

Salvation Army Freedom Center | 825 N. Christiana Avenue

Meets every Friday from 8:30–10:00 a.m.

Registration appreciated! Anyone 55+ is welcome at these FREE programs.

Illinois launches summer food assistance program

Eligible families can receive $120 per child for groceries in summer

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois

The state is launching a new program to provide food assistance during the summer for families with children w ho qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school.

Gov. JB Pritzker joined other state officials and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Thursday to announce that Illinois will take part in the federally funded Summer EBT program, which provides qualifying families with a one-time benefit of $120 per child that can be used to buy groceries during the summer months.

Speaking at a predominantly low-income elementary school in Springfield, Pritzker said it’s important all year long to ensure that children have enough food to eat.

“Food insecurity is absolutely detrimental to a child’s development,” he said. It impacts academic performance, social function, and mental and physical health.”

Pritzker noted the program began as a “stop-gap” measure to address the needs of low-income families with school-age children during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many school buildings were forced to close.

The program proved so successful in helping alleviate child hunger that Congress acted in 2022 to make it permanent. This summer will mark the first under the new, permanent authority.

“Summer EBT is evidence-based, meaning we know it works,” said Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services at USDA, which funds the program. “It’s been tested, piloted, and gone through rigorous research to show that it reduces hunger and increases the intake of nutritious foods (for) the kids who participate.”

T he progr am is open to children who are also eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school. That means they must come from households with incomes at or

below 185% of the federal poverty level –$47,767 for a family of three, or $57,720 for a family of four

According to the most recent state report card from the Illinois State Board of Education, 49% of all students in Illinois public schools meet that criteria.

There is no citizenship requirement for the program and Summer EBT is not considered under the public charge rule of U.S. immigration law.

Children will be automatically enrolled if they have been enrolled on or after July 1, 2023, in either the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP; income-eligible Medicaid; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF; or the state’s Youth in Care or foster care system.

Families who do not take part in those programs but who may qualify under the income guidelines can also apply through a school that takes part in the National School Lunch Program.

Qualifying families will receive the money in the form of an electronic benefits transfer, or EBT card, known in Illinois as a Link card. For families already enrolled in the SNAP or TANF programs, the $120 per-child benefit will be loaded onto their existing Link card. Others will receive a new card in the mail from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

According to the state’s Summer EBT website, the 2024 benefits will be distributed in late summer.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primaril y by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCor mick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.

West Sider urge city to keep ShotSpotter: ‘our community truly needs this’

Alderpeople may vote next week on a proposed ordinance that would make the gunshot detection technology available on a ward-by-ward basis, potentially upending Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plans to stop using it this fall.

By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Block Club Chicago

A Growing Community Media Parnter

Some West Side neighbors urged the city to reconsider ShotSpotter during a forum last week, echoing several South and West side alderpeople’s push to keep the controversial gunshot detection technology in their wards.

In February, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the city would end its use of ShotSpotter this fall, but a proposed ordinance from South Side Ald. David Moore (17th) aims to keep the service available on a ward-by-ward basis. City Council could vote next week on the ordinance that would give alderpeople the final say on ShotSpotter’s future use.

The West Side Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People organized Thursday’s forum at Collins High School, 1313 S. Sacramento Drive, in partnership with three West Side alderpeople — Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), Ald. Monique Scott (24th) and Ald. Chris Taliafer ro (29th).

West Siders can continue to weigh in on the city’s use of ShotSpotter by answering a survey.

About six of the roughly 25 neighbors at the meeting shared anecdotes of police quickly arriving at scenes after gunfire, thanks to ShotSpotter alerts — even when no one called 911. A few recalled instances where someone they knew received medical attention after police responded to a ShotSpotter alert.

Rochelle Jackson, who lives in North Lawndale, said she recently saw police arrive on her block less than three minutes after she heard gunshots.

That response time is shorter than any she’s seen after making a 911 call, she said.

“We usually had to wait 45 minutes to an hour if they even showed up for stuf f like that,” Jackson said. “Our community truly needs this.”

West Siders have long complained that police do not show up when they call 911.

A Block Club analysis of police data

Alds. Monique Scott (24th) and Emma Mitts (37th) said ShotSpotter is needed to promptly respond to gun violence, especially as neighbors fail to call 911.

show many 911 calls from West and South Side neighborhoods are ignored while rapid response teams tasked with responding to those calls conduct traffic stops instead.

An Austin neighborhood group in partnership with the ACLU sued the city in 2011 after police routinely failed to respond to 911 calls. The lawsuit resulted in a settlement requiring the department to collect and publish response times, a deadline officials quickly fell behind on.

“In our community, 911 calls went out the window a long time ago,” Mitts said. “We’ve got to have some eyes. The ShotSpotter is the eyes in our neighborhood.”

Critics have pointed to numerous reports that question ShotSpotter’s reliability and effectiveness in reducing gun crime. However, proponents argue it is critical to alerting police of gun crimes that would otherwise go unreported.

In 2021, a report by Inspector General Deborah Witzburg’s office found ShotSpotter alerts rarely resulted in evidence of gun crime. The report only evaluated ShotSpot-

ter’s effectiveness in fighting gun crime, not the technology’s accuracy, she said.

“How we measure success depends on what we’re trying to accomplish,” Witzburg said Thursday

Data on police response times should be viewed “with some caution” as police can only measure response times in about half of its 911 call responses, Witzburg said.

Yet, if data can show ShotSpotter helps gunshot victims get medical attention faster, then the response needs to be adequately shaped to meet that goal, she said.

“If we can get victims of gunshots medical attention faster, that’s tremendously valuable from a public safety perspective,” Witzburg said. “The fact remains that when ShotSpotter alerts come in, we’re sending police cars, not ambulances.”

Echoing Mitts, Scott pushed to keep ShotSpotter on the West Side.

“If it’s not ShotSpotter, we still need a gunshot detection tool,” Scott said. Mitts and Scott are among 14 alderpeople of the city’s most violent wards who want

to keep the technology in their neighborhoods, according to the Tribune

Supporters said another benefit of ShotSpotter is that it provides police with more accurate information about potential shooting locations than neighbors could provide, and it alerts police of incidents that would otherwise go unnoticed. That information has even helped police identify alle ged shooters of people they knew, some neighbors said.

A North Lawndale resident who identified herself as Mrs. Brown said about a month ago, she heard a gunshot near the back of her house. By the time she reached the back of the house, police were already outside investigating and had identified where the shots came from, she said.

“I want to see that ShotSpotter stay there,” she said.

West Side neighbors’ experiences are consistent with benefits reported by other cities that use ShotSpotter, said Carlton T. Mayers II, NAACP criminal justice committee chair. However, there are concerns about the technology’s data collection and transparency.

SoundThinking, the company behind ShotSpotter technology, owns the data collected citywide by ShotSpotter, not the city, Mayers said. Without a local law that ensures data is collected and made available to the public regularly, it is hard to determine if ShotSpotter “is really working,” he said.

And while the Inspector General’s report is a snapshot of how ShotSpotter operates, more data is needed to evaluate its usefulness and to identify potential ne gative impacts in Chicago, Mayers said.

With the city’s contract with SoundThinking set to expire this fall, some neighbors said the city should consider the voices of those most affected by violence before deciding the future of ShotSpotter.

“I don’t know about all the other communities on the North Side, what they care about, but every ward on the West Side and the South Side needs ShotSpotter,” Jackson said. “What other people are advocating against, we’re advocating for.”

FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

MAXWELL STREET MARKET

Join us on select Sundays May 26 – October 27: 5/26, 6/30, 7/28, 9/1, 9/29 and 10/27 from 9AM– 2PM Location:

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

WE ALL HAVE MENTAL HEALTH

Whether you are struggling with a temporary challenge or if you are living with a chronic condition, your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

50%

More than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

GROWING CRISIS AMONG YOUTH

America’s youth mental health crisis has been worsened by the COVID�19 pandemic.

Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness INCREASED

69% between 2009 and 2021 for U.S. high school students

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE

The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township �CMHB� and the River Forest Township Mental Health Committee invest in a continuum of mental health care that is responsive to our unique and evolving community needs. Together, we provided over $1.6M last year to help local organizations and schools offer prevention, early intervention, treatment, and quality-of-life services to Oak Park and River Forest residents. Our grants resulted in:

COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD OF OAK PARK TOWNSHIP

� Over 9,500 Oak Park residents accessing services

� Nearly 7,000 units of mental health treatment for Oak Park residents

� Over 300 educational presentations on mental health to Oak Park residents

� Over 1,000 Oak Park high school students trained in suicide prevention

In fiscal year 2024, CMHB provided over $1.4M in funding for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability services. To learn more about our work in this area, visit oakparktownship.org/CMHB.

RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE

� Over 18,000 hours of services provided to River Forest residents

� Nearly 50 hours of educational presentations on mental health to River Forest residents

� Over 250 River Forest high school students trained in suicide prevention

In fiscal year 2024, RFT provided over $215,000 in funding for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability services. To learn more about our work in this area, visit www.riverforesttownship.org/mental-health.

REAL

ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, vs. TAMIKA WARREN; ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants, 23 CH 3608

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, June 24, 2024 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-14-328-035-0000.

Commonly known as 3617 W. GRENSHAW ST., CHICAGO, IL 60624.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6960. 6766-182603 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3244161

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF CIM 2021-R5 Plaintiff, -v.-

SEARCY CARTER, AS INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ELNORA CARTER, SEARCY CARTER, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ELNORA CARTER, TORREESE CARTER, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2022 CH 11095

5047 ‘’C’’ W. JACKSON CHICAGO, IL 60644

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 26, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 18, 2024, at The

Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 5047 ‘’C’’ W. JACKSON, CHICAGO, IL 60644

Property Index No. 16-16-213-1200000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-04713

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 11095 TJSC#: 44-1247

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2022 CH 11095 I3244437

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-6699777.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR BEAR STEARSN ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I TRUST, ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-HE4; Plaintiff, vs. REOLA JERNIGAN; MIDLAND FUNDING LLC; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ROBERT LEE JERNIGAN AKA

ROBERT L. JERNIGAN, DECEASED; CONSTANCE JERNIGAN; THOMAS P. QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF ROBERT LEE JERNIGAN AKA

ROBERT L. JERNIGAN, DECEASED; Defendants, 18 CH 5964

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, June 10, 2024 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-02-302-019-0000.

Commonly known as 1119 North Springfield Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a multi-family residence. The successful purchaser is entitled to possession of the property only. The purchaser may only obtain possession of units within the multi-unit property occupied by individuals named in the order of possession.

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 18-010728 F2

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3243216

NOTICE INVITATION TO BID TO METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO Sealed proposals, endorsed as above, will be submitted back to the District via an electronic upload to the Bonfire Portal only, from the date of the Invitation to Bid, up to 11:00 A.M. (Chicago time), on the bid opening date, and will be opened

District’s Affirmative Action Ordinance Revised Appendix D, Appendix V, Appendix C, Appendix K, and the Multi Project Labor Agreement are required on this Contract.

Bid Opening: June 18, 2024 24-618-12

Furnish and Deliver HVAC and Refrigeration Parts and Services to Various Locations Re-Bid

Estimated Cost for Group A: $ 215,463.00

Bid Deposit: None

Estimated Cost for Group B: $ 361,847.00

Estimated Cost for Group C: $ 406,845.00

Total Estimated Cost: $ 984,155.00

Voluntary Technical Pre-Bid Conference via ZOOM: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 10:30 am CST. Compliance with the District’s Affirmative Action Ordinance Revised Appendix D, Appendix C and the Multi Project Labor Agreement are required on this Contract.

Bid Opening: June 18, 2024

****************************************

The above is an abbreviated version of the Notice Invitation to Bid. A full version which includes a brief description of the project and/or service can be found on the District’s website, www.mwrd. org. The path is as follows: Doing Business ▶ Procurement and Materials Management ▶ Contract Announcements.

Specifications, proposal forms and/ or plans may be obtained from the Department of Procurement and Materials Management by downloading online from the District’s website at www.mwrd.org (Doing Business ▶ Procurement & Materials Management ▶ Contract Announcements). No fee is required for the Contract Documents. Any questions regarding the downloading of the Contract Document should be directed to the following email: contractdesk@mwrd.org or call 312-751-6643

All Contracts for the Construction of Public Works are subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130/1 et.seq.), where it is stated in the Invitation to Bid Page. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals if deemed in the public’s best interest. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago By Darlene A. LoCascio

Growing Green 2024

LO CA L • AC TIONABLE • HOPE

Growing Green 2024

Forest Park Bank makes it possible.

Growing Green 2024

Takeout without:

How Oak Park’s restaurants – and customers – are handling the Styrofoam ban

Need a plastic fork,too?

you have to ask for one

ABy HOPE BAKER Contributing reporter

ban on polystyrene, commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam, went into effect in Oak Park on Jan. 1. The ban established that businesses cannot sell or distribute disposable food containers that partially incorporate or are entirely composed of polystyrene foam packaging.

According to Dan Yopchick, the village’s chief communications officer, implementing the ban has gone smoothly so far.

“From our perspective, the rece ption from business owners has been positive,” he said. “I haven’t heard anything ne gative or any pushback against it.”

The ban does not apply to food establishments with an annual gross income less than $500,000 per location until Jan. 1, 2025.

Yopchick said that when eliminating the use of polystyrene was being discussed by the Village Board, concerns were mainly related to smaller establishments with low-

been working closely with food establishments to educate them about the new policy. They have also provided downloadable signage and talked with businesses about the seven exceptions in which single-use plastic food ware is allowed.

According to Engage Oak Park, drinking straws are still permitted as well as single-use plastic food ware that is necessary to address safety concerns, comes in a vending machine or is pre-packaged by a manufacturer

Not-for-profit corporations and federal, state or local government agencies that provide food to needy individuals are exempt from the new policy.

“Staf f, led by our Environmental Health division within the Health Department, is responsive to questions and I personally have not heard of any issues with enforcement,” Yopchick said.

Rob Guenthner, owner of Kettlestrings Restaurant Group and President of the Oak Park Chamber of Commerce, said his businesses are not impacted by the ban on polystyrene.

request from customers.

According to Yopchick, village staf f has

had any impact on us use Styrofoam before,”

“At all of our places in e used compostable takeout for a long time.”

Guenthner added that although his busiimpacted by the single-use food ware ordinance, implementing the new rules has ended up being easy. e still get a fair amount of people askerware, but it’s certainly ,” he said.

Kettlestrings Restaurant Group includes rn at 800 S. Oak Park e., Kettlestrings Grove at 105 S. Marion St. and Betty’s Pizza and Pasta at 1103 which are in Oak Park, as well Starship Restaurant & Catering at Forest Park

“The concern I hear from other people about the Styrofoam ban is that places that use Styrofoam tend to be lower-cost establishments that do a lot of carry-out and at r price point, so moving from Styrofoam to something else is probably going to for those folks,” Guen-

He said he has also heard that some business owners feel like certain products, ver better in Styrofoam because soup stays warm and is easy to rning one’s hand when s packaged in Styrofoam.

“But I think the benefits will still ultimately outweigh the inconvenience and the slight increased cost,” Guenthner said.

Growing Green 2024

Pollinators: They need you. You need them.

Climate change is real. So

is

As we move through spring toward the arrival of summer, the colors of the landscape will come to life as many plants begin to flower. All this would not be possible without the dutiful work of our pollinators. Without this generally unnoticed effort, agricultural economies, food supply, and the surrounding landscapes would collapse. Did you know somewhere between 75% and 95% of all flowering plants on earth need help with pollination?

To give a sense of scale, that’s over 180,000 plant species, 1,200 crops, and it adds over $200 billion a year to the global economy. Honeybees alone contribute $1 billion to $5 billion in agricultural productivity in the United States. Safe to say, these birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles and other small mammals are vitally important to the world. So, what else do they do? In addition to our food, they support healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize soils to prevent erosion, sequester carbon, and support other wildlife.

How can you help? Providing a habitat that supports them is the key. Research has shown that local pollinators prefer local, native plantings. Making this small change makes a difference—so I encourage you, if you’ve not already done so, to make 2024 the year to grow your role in this collective effort.

Aclimate anxiet y. Climate cafes may help

By JACK HELBIG Contributing Reporter

2021 survey of young people ages 16 to 25 in 10 countries published in the British medical journal The Lancet found that 59% of those who responded said they were “very or extremely” worried about climate change while 84% said they were at least “moderately” worried.

More than half said they experienced strong, ne gative emotions about it, whether sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless or guilty. Another threefourths of respondents said they were frightened about the future.

So, how do you address concerns about the climate without triggering paralyzing anxiety?

Climate cafes may provide a solution.

Jess Pepper, the person credited with holding that first climate cafe, told the Guardian newspaper in 2021 that she hosted her first cafe in in Dunkeld and Birnam, Scotland, because, “It just dawned on me that people needed to be speaking with each other, and not just in a one-of f kind of session.”

The result was both political and therapeutic. Climate cafes provide a forum where information is shared, but in a way that is not overwhelming. Too often these days what you want is a glass of water, and instead you get a blast from a firehose.

“It just dawned on me that people needed to be speaking with each other, and not just in a one-o kind of session.”

Begun in Scotland in 2015, climate cafes provide informal get togethers in which attendees intentionally discuss topics many find too inconvenient or troubling to discuss in larger, more for mal venues. Some climate cafes meet re gularly. Some meet online. Others just pop up for a couple of sessions and then disappear again.

JESS PEPPER

One participant in a climate cafe told a reporter at the Guardian that she had “shed a lot of tears, and gotten in touch with some powerful feelings” that came from sharing her anxieties with like-minded people.

All politics is local, and you can’t get much more local than a group of people getting together to discuss the issues. Participants in climate cafes have reported they feel relief from anxiety and numb helplessness.

One of Chicago’s first climate cafes, held last December at the Pe gg y Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park, was organized by a Chicago-based psychotherapist

and clinical social worker, Libby Bachhuber. Her climate cafe also was part of an ongoing program of climate cafes associated with the Climate Psychology Alliance North America.

The Climate Psychology Alliance’s online answer to the question “What is a Climate Café?” sounds as much like a group therapy session with snacks than a political action committee: “a gathering of people meeting with facilitators to share their responses to the climate crisis,” “a confidential, warm, friendly, hospitable occasion –involving cake, hot drinks, maybe a glass of wine or beer,” “the focus… thoughts and feelings about climate change, rather than what we ’re doing about climate change.”

Bachhuber’s climate cafe at the Pe gg y Notebaert Nature Museum definitely had a group therapy feel. As she told a Tribune reporter in a December 28, 2023 article: “Unless we can process our internal responses to climate change, we are not going to be able to respond appropriately to it.”

The Chicago-based Climate Psychology Alliance, North America, hosts a virtual climate care the fourth Tuesday of each month, 6 to 7:30 pm Central (https://www. climat ep syc holo gy.us/climate-cafes/climate-cafe).

Those interested in the inter national climate cafe movement can also visit the Climate Cafe Network Hub (https://www.climate.cafe/).

Scott McAdam Jr.

Growing Green 2024

The climate is changing: How will local residents be impacted in

By ELIZABETH SHORT

Contributing reporter

As wildfires, severe storms, droughts, and flooding impact daily lives of Americans in all 50 states as a result of climate change, some media outlets have upheld the Great Lake region as a potential climate refuge.

Yet the region is not exempt from the changing climate currently impacting and uprooting lives all over the world.

Consider the facts.

In the last decade, Lake Michigan rose more than six feet in less than eight years and then fell three feet in three years. In February, Chicago-area residents flocked outside as temperatures reached 74 degrees, making it the warmest February on record. Last summer, temperatures in Chicago reached 100 degrees, a rarity in the city. In early July, Chicago-area residents witnessed a cluster of severe storms cause flash flooding and power outages, including on the West Side. It also forced the cancellation of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race.

Yet at the same time, Illinois was experiencing a drought (April 1 through June 30 brought the 11th-driest period on record in Illinois), a disaster that cost billions of dollars. This drought, which re-intensified at the end of the summer, impacted Illinois farms and dropped river levels

“In the coming decades, Chicago will experience warmer and wetter winters and hotter and drier summers due to climate change. These temperature and humidity shifts will also lead to changes in weather and increased frequency of severe, dangerous, and financially damaging storms,” said Jelena Collins, founder of the Climate Youth Coalition and 2022 OPRF graduate studying climate science and physics at McGill University.

Extreme temperatures and floods disproportionately impact poorer and minority communities, as experts say climate change exacerbates problems for under-invested communities, like those on the West Side, including Austin.

“Nearly every climate model has projected an intense increase in precipitation in the Midwest, leading to greater risks of flood-

ing, stress on infrastructure, and, conversely, more intense dry seasons,” Collins said.

“These dry seasons are damaging to agriculture, increase respiratory hazards, and again place undue strain on infrastructure.”

This begs the question: In coming years, how can Illinoisans expect to be further impacted by climate change?

And what should we do to pre pare?

Illinois Extension, University of Illinois network of educators and experts working to sustainably protect the health and wellbeing of Illinois residents, reported that the primary impacts of climate change in the region will be an amplified risk of high temperatures and heavy precipitation.

These changes can also create public health hazards and expand mosquito and tick populations, as well as corresponding diseases. To prevent these bites, the CDC recommends using insect-repellent, wearing loose and long clothes, treating clothes with 0.5% permethrin, and checking for ticks after being outdoors.

Higher temperatures and heavier rainfall can impact air quality, affecting people with healthy lungs and exacerbating issues for people with seasonal allergies or asthma. Climate change also impacts residents’ mental health. The Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance has collected resources for individuals experiencing climate distress.

Above all, Collins stressed the importance of flood preparation. “I think residents of Chicago would be wise to prepare for flooding in the immediate years to come,” she said. “This could mean updating their basements or housing foundations, but also having emergency equipment on hand in case of severe rainstor ms.”

To prepare houses for floods, the Natural Resources Defense Council recommends buying flood insurance, elevating your boiler, and reconsidering your landscaping to help water seep into the ground.

In emergency flood situations, Illinois Extension recommends that households prepare for extreme weather by gathering supplies including a first aid kit, water, canned food, and medications Additional resources for emergency situations can be found on its Extreme Weather Preparedness site

Latest News

from the

7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday ● May 18 - October 26 ●

Olmsted Society

www.oak-park.us/

Stewards of the land and Olmsted’s Plan

Walking Tours of Riverside return May 26 and continue on the last Sunday of the month through October. 2-4 PM. Riverside train station. $25 per person (discounts for seniors and Olmsted Society members). Visitors will enjoy stories about homes, people, landscape and history. See website for details.

Walking Tour: North Sunday, May 26, 2024 2:00 pm

Workday: Big Ball Park Saturday, June 1, 2024 9:00 am

THANKS TO

Workday: Big Ball Park Saturday, June 29, 2024 9:00 am

Walking Tour: South Sunday, June 30, 2024 2:00 pm

FWith programs and lm festivals

By JESSIC A MACKINNON Contributing reporter

rom its humble beginning in 2010 as an informal community meeting organized by green pioneers Sally Stovall and her partner Dick Alton, One Earth Collective has grown to encompass a plethora ofdiverse programs dedicated to increasing awareness ofthe impact of climate change and inspiring action regarding the environment and social justice

T he initial group, wh ich quickly ga i ned traction in progressive Oak Pa rk , focused on developing local green block pa rt i es offering info rm ation on p lanting milkweed , essential for the survival of monarch butterflie s, as ell as omposting and hemicalfree lawn care

In 2017, the organization launched a summer pilot pr on Chicago’s west side. The pr eventually became ration with youth development pr side nonprofits, offers cooking instruction, a speaker series and field trips. Young people involved in the pr an urban

The broad-based One Earth Collecti “mothership” now comprises One Earth Local, for One Earth Youth developing young sustainability leaders; and the highly popular One Earth Film Festival, widely

Organic Lawn Care Since 2007

Compost tea soil feedings

Natural techniques for pest control

Biochar & microbiological soil amendments

Yard Drainage Solutions

Sustainable Landscaping

Native Pollinator Gardens

Vegetable Gardens

We are

By HECTOR CERVANTES

Contributing reporter

Illinois is gearing up for Invasive Species

Awareness Month this May, a critical period spotlighting the ongoing battle against ecological intruder s.

Patti Staley, Director of Horticulture and Conservatory Operations at the Park District of Oak Park, delves deep into the topic of invasive species in garden environments and offers insights on effective management strat egies.

Staley said that this month provides an opportunity for increased education and action on the dangers of invasive species in the garden.

According to Staley, invasive species are plants or animals from different environments or parts of the world that do not belong where they are locally found. These invasive species are typically not native to the ecosystem they inhabit and can cause harm to the ecosystem.

“It’s important to distinguish between invasive and non-native or exotic species. Many people use the term ‘invasive’ loosely, it’s a strong word that shouldn’t be used lightly,” Staley said. “Terminology is crucial for understanding. It’s not just invasive; some plants can be aggressive without causing harm to our ecosystem,”

In Illinois, some common invasive species include garlic mustard, honeysuckle, buckthor n, burning bush, and certain shrubs and trees.

Studies indicate that garlic mustard exhibits allelopathic traits, whereby it emits substances that hinder the growth of competing plant species.

In terms of animals, emerald ash borer, a green buprestid or jewel beetle native to north-eastern Asia and Asian carp are also significant concerns. Asian carp refers to a group of invasive fish species native to Asia, including the silver, bighead, black, and grass carp, which have rapidly proliferated in waterways across North America, posing significant ecological and economic threats.

“Invasive species, as shocking as they may be, are introduced into environments, ecosystems and even your own backyard by humans, whether done purposefully or inadvertently,” Staley said.

Staley, who used to work in the landscape industry, said they sometimes planted invasive plants without the knowledge that they were har mful

Growing Green 2024

Is your pret ty garden hiding a danger?

Unlocking the battle against invasive species in the garden with tips and tricks

“Science is always evolving and changing and our ecosystems are adapting, and what we know now, we didn’t know back then, and what we knew then, we won’t know now,” Staley said. “Paying attention to science and keeping updated on species, and we talk about climate change and how that will impact invasives, it’s not black and white.”

Weather, including climate change, plays a huge role in the spread of invasive species.

“I’ve observed how climate change impacts plants, whether invasive or not, and we saw those effects this spring with the early war m-up,” Staley said.

According to Staley, invasive species can choke out native species, pushing them to the brink of extinction.

“Education is crucial; understanding what plants you have in your garden and replacing invasive species with native or nonaggressive plants is essential,” Staley said.

Staley suggested that once the invasive species has been identified and removed, one should ideally opt to grow a native plant or a plant without ag gressive tendencies.

Staley added that there are some great nonnative perennials that can be planted that can extend the growing season that

be mixed in with native plants. A perennial plant is a plant that lives more than two years.

When asked about the significance of public awareness and education in addressing the spread of invasive species, as well as the role of gardens and conservatories in this ef fort, Staley emphasized the crucial importance of public awareness and education.

“Organizations like garden locations and conservatories can play a significant role in educating the community about invasive species and what individuals can do to help prevent their spread,” Staley said.

Staley acknowledges the wealth of resources available for combating invasives, citing the remarkable ef for ts of organizations like the Kane County Forest Preserve Staley highlights their impactful cleanup initiatives along the Fox River and the multitude of volunteer groups involved.

As for this warm winter: Could warmer temperatures and climate change lead to an increase in invasive species in the garden?

Perhaps.

“With a prolonged growing season, there are increased chances for plants to propagate over an extended timeframe,” Staley said.

Spotted Lantern y

Insects: Spotted

can

ONE EARTH Hopeful climate

from page B7

vironmental film festival.

One Earth Film Festival, which was launched in 2012 by local sustainability leader Ana Garcia Doyle, has garnered international reco gnition. The first festival, which primarily featured films by local filmmakers, attracted 500 attendees; last year the festival reached 4,500 virtual and in-person viewers. This year’s festival, which ended April 23, was held in venues throughout the Chicago area, including the Chicago Cultural Center and Pe gg y Notebaert Nature Museum as well as the Oak Park Public Library and Unity Temple, and showcased submissions from filmmakers around the world.

In 2013, the organization debuted the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest, launched by for mer River Forest resident Sue Crothers Gee. T he progr am has grown significantly in the past do zen years; last year it received more than 400 entries from young filmmakers throughout the country and as far away as Australia, Taiwan, Brazil and Mexico.

T he contest is open to youth as young as third graders to post-graduate colle ge students. With the support of the Manaaki Foundation, winning filmmakers receive cash awards between $100 (third graders) to $1,000 (colle ge students). In an ingenious “pay-it-forward” initiative, winners also receive matching grants that they, in turn, award to nonprofits dedicated to projects that align with the themes of

Growing Green 2024

their films. In addition, several nonprofits, including the Sierra Club, Jane Goodall Institute, and Wild Ones West Cook, offer $500 Environmental Action Awards.

“The Young Filmmakers Contest encourages young people to create films that propose solutions and inspire action to combat the impact of global climate chang e,” said Lisa Biehle Files, who joined the YFC team in 2016. “And the matching grant progr am gives them the agency to make an impact that ripples throughout the sustainability movement.”

Winning YFC films are shown throughout the annual One Earth Film Festival. Beyond the contest, young people are supported by connecting them with professional filmmakers and providing them with opportunities to strengthen their skills

Files was pleased to see that, in general, this year’s films were more hopeful than last year’s submissions, which included film titles like Code Red, The Apocalypse, and Our Generation, a film exploring the environmental challenges faced by the younger generation due to the actions of previous generations. She attributes some of this to the waning of COVID, which was so isolating and depressing for many young people.

“Some of the films submitted in 2022 were kind of dark and filled with dread. But, in the past year, they seemed to be more optimistic about the future,” Files said.

The deadline for submitting films for the 2024 One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest is June 25. Winning films will premier on September 22 at the Gene Siskel Film Center and will be shown during the 2025 One Earth Film Festival. For more information, contact https://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/ contest-details.

The Village of Brookfield recently adopted its first five-year Sustainability Plan, which sets ambitious goals and creates opportunities for residents, businesses, local partners, and village o cials to act on sustainability e orts in Brookfield.

Visit our new Brookfield Sustainability Resources webpage to check out the plan, read about current initiatives, find local resources, and learn about opportunities to get involved. Scan and visit the website!

Growing Green

How the city is addressing Chicago’s environmental injustice issues

An inter view with the Chicago Department of Public Health

By DEBORAH BAYLISS Contributing Reporter

The release last year of the Chicago Cumulative Impact Assessment found that Austin, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park and North Lawndale communities are among the areas disproportionately impacted by higher heat-related illnesses, industry pollution, increased amounts of ground level ozone and particulate matter, flooding, lack of green space, higher density of buildings and pavement — and historic disinvestment. All of these environmental conditions intersect to play a role in the life-expectancy gap between Black and white Chicagoans. Studies show on average, Black Chicagoans live 8.8 years less than whites do.

Austin Weekly News spoke with Grace V. Johnson Adams, a spokesperson with the Chicago Department of Public Health to see which actions are being considered and put in place to deal with the environmental injustice

According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, environmental justice is achieved when all residents have the same de gree of protections from environmental and health hazards.

AWN: Since the release of the assessment, which actionable measures have been put in place so far to address the study’s findings?

CDPH: Several actions have been taken already since the release of the Cumulative Impact Assessment in September 2023 to address the findings. For example, one Environmental Justice Action Plan tactic called for at least 5,000 trees to be planted per year in targeted communities using tree canopy data, and 78% of trees planted in 2023 in the arterial tree planting program were in priority areas. Additional measures began before or during the As-

sessment process and have continued since then, such as the development and implementation of a data collection strateg y to inform and report on the effectiveness of community engagement activities. There are other measures that have not yet begun, but will be completed per the Environmental Justice Action Plan.

CDPH and community partners, including Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, Center for Neighborhood Technology, and the UIC School of Public Health’s Environmental and Occupational Health Science, are co-leading a community air monitoring network strategy, with a focus on environmental justice neighborhoods. A planning award for co-developing this strategy is provided by The Partnership for Healthy Cities and funding from the Chicago Recovery Plan will be used to implement a co-developed and sustainable community air monitoring network and create a unified public-facing platform for air quality data. Once operational, the air monitoring network will address the identified data gap of local air quality in Chicago from the CIA.

AWN: What is the Environmental Justice Action Plan?

CDPH: The Interdepartmental Environmental Justice Working Group was for med in March 2023 by the Department of Environment and the Department of Public Health to ensure that all city departments are working together to promote environmental justice by identifying and addressing inequities. Out of this group came the Environmental Justice Action Plan, which includes dozens of specific, actionable policy changes that can be implemented in partnership with more than 10 city departments The city committed to publishing an annual report based on progress made toward the Environmental Justice Action Plan, beginning in December 2023. The first version of the report was released December 22.

e resulting Chicago EJ Index map shows that the areas of greatest concern for pollution burdens and vulnerability to its e ects are located on the South and West Sides of the city. ese EJ Neighborhoods are o en bisected by major highways and have high concentrations of industry, including community areas such as Austin, East Gar eld Park, Englewood, Humboldt Park, Lower West Side, McKinley Park, New City, North Lawndale, Roseland, South Deering, South Lawndale, West Englewood and West Gar eld Park.

es, strategies, policies being considered to address heat zones, and the other environmental issues residents on Chicago’s West Side are facing?

CDPH: The cumulative impact ordinance is cur rently being drafted and is expected to be introduced to City Council this year. Additionally, work through the Defusing Disasters Working Group, which encompasses researchers, public health officials, policy advisors, emergency management teams and community partners, will leverage data and local knowledge to identify those most vulnerable to extreme heat in Chicago’s communities. Last summer, researchers and local community members be g an collecting the data needed to characterize heat vulnerabilities through Chicago’s Heat Watch 2023 initiative as part of the National Oceanic

Watch Campaign, which aims to help cities across the U.S. identify specific neighborhoods where heat-mitigating interventions could save lives. Now, the Defusing Disasters Working Group is creating heat vulnerability tools that function at both the community and clinical levels. The community-level tool will be used operationally by the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication and CDPH in both emergency prevention/response and long-term mitigation contexts. The clinical tool will be used at the doctor-patient level to identify and protect at-risk individuals. Actions remain in progress, and as additional information becomes available, CDPH and DOE will continue to share these updates with Chicago residents, especially those in community areas.”

Growing Green 2024